Steve Elliott returns to Cheltenham Town to assist Russell Milton

Former Cheltenham Town defender Steve Elliott has returned to the club to assist caretaker manager Russell Milton in the dugout for the visit of Bury in Sky Bet League 2 on Saturday.

The popular player/coach left the Robins last week by mutual consent but, following the dismissal of boss Paul Buckle, Elliott has taken up the role on a voluntary basis alongside Milton, who is the Head of Academy Coaching at the club.

Elliott, 36, made 190 starts for Cheltenham after arriving at Whaddon Road in July 2010, including 19 appearances this term.

But he hasn't played since a 4-1 reverse to Wycombe Wanderers in November, a game in which he scored, before picking up a knee injury, prior to his departure last Tuesday.

The club stated that the door will remain open for the popular player to return in some capacity in the future, and that has probably come sooner than expected.

The Robins dismissed Buckle and his assistant Rob Edwards after only 79 days in charge, having slipped to one point above the Sky Bet League 2 relegation zone with just one win from their 13 games at the helm.